Robert Owen nearly didn t make it to adulthood. In the late 18th century the youngster almost died when he ate a spoonful of scalding hot flummery, and on another occasion was forced to flee from the path of an oncoming wagon pulled by a cream coloured mare as he crossed the wooden bridge over the Severn in Newtown. During an age in which young people were seemingly perennially imperilled, either incident might have deprived the world of a social reformer, one of the architects of the cooperative movement, of an engineer of workers rights and a socialist figurehead. This Friday, May 14, marks 250 years to the day that Owen was born in the house above his father s shop in Broad Street in Newtown in 1771.
Powys planners have given the green light to turn “The Mirchi” into two holiday apartments. The change of use planning application had been made by Gwilym Powell, who also runs the Bear Hotel in the town. The changes will see the 130 square metre restaurant split into two holiday lets. One apartment would have one bedroom and the other two bedrooms. A similar planning application had been lodged last summer, but was later withdrawn. Planning case officer Rhian Griffiths said: “Attempts to let the premises for use as a restaurant have been unsuccessful during this time, and therefore an application for the change of use of the building has been submitted as an alternative solution.
The GOOD, the bad and the ugly of Devizes’s history is showcased in a new historical trail. Natasha Morabito, who lives in Lymington, has worked throughout the latest lockdown to pull together an interactive trail to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. The tour was created for the Secret Stories app - a new project by Ordnance Survey to encourage people on mapped adventures. Starting at the Market Place, the Devizes tour takes would-be historians on a walking tour of the town - with different periods of history highlighted via the app.
Natasha Natasha said: “I wanted something that wouldn’t be too long, around two hours, that would suit everyone. With lockdown, it was a bit trickier doing the research, as usually I would go to a library and speak with people, but almost all of it was done over the internet.